Andros Townsend

Andros Townsend was billed as England’s newest hero following his man of the match performance and sensational long-range belter against Montonegro in the World Cup qualifiers.

A return to the Tottenham first team after a promising loan spell with QPR last term campaign also saw the 22 year-old winger feature heavily under Andre Villas-Boas at the beginning of the season.

But Townsend’s performances at club level failed to hit the heights of his Three Lions outings; with an average of 3.6 per match, Townsend is one of the most efficient dribblers in the Premier League, but with just one goal from 50 attempts – and even that was a misguided cross – he’s also one of the division’s most wasteful finishers.

Harry Redknapp has compared the Spurs youngster to Arjen Robben for his ability to cut inside and shoot, but at the moment, with no assists yet in the Premier League, Townsend is very much a one-trick pony that more often than not fails to deliver. He can make a near miss from 30 yards look incredibly glamorous, but consistent output is what makes the difference at international level.

Back in October, when images of the Lilywhites starlet celebrating in England colours was draped across every back-page in the country, it was certainly a case of the right player in the right place at the right time.

But it seems unlikely he’ll be able to repeat that feat at the 2014 World Cup, and a lengthy injury lay-off this season won’t have helped Townsends’ Three Lions chances.